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Not Sure What to Do After School? Start Here
- Eduettu
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
Let’s clear something up right away: You’re not falling behind just because you don’t know your next move.
It might seem like everyone around you has a plan — university, internships, career dreams all sorted. But that’s rarely the full story. Some people just talk louder about their plans, or they’re good at sounding confident even when they’re unsure too.
1. Think in Directions, Not Destinations
Forget the idea of having a single dream job picked out by now. Life doesn’t usually work like that. Instead, start thinking in directions — areas or themes that interest you, even a little.
Do you like solving problems? Helping others? Working with your hands? Being creative? These aren’t just hobbies — they’re clues. Think about how you feel during your favorite subjects or projects. Is it a sense of focus? Excitement? That matters more than grades alone.
You’re not trying to figure out one perfect career. You’re starting a journey — and journeys are full of turns, rest stops, and reroutes. You just need a compass, not a map.
Try this: Write down 3 things that make you lose track of time when you’re doing them, and 3 things others often say you’re good at. See what patterns show up — even small ones.
2. Explore Options You Didn’t Know Existed
You can't choose what you don't know exists — and schools can only show you so much. There are careers out there no one told you about because they didn’t even exist 10 years ago. Think: UX design, climate policy analyst, esports coach, ethical hacker, digital marketer for charities — the list is huge and growing.
It’s easy to assume that university is the only “good” next step. It isn’t. Many people build amazing futures through apprenticeships, traineeships, vocational courses, or by starting their own thing. It depends on how you learn best, what you value, and what you want to build over time.
Try this: Search a phrase like “jobs where you work with animals,” or “careers in tech that don’t need coding.” Even better — use YouTube or TikTok to hear directly from people in those roles. Watch with curiosity, not comparison.
3. Talk to People — Not Just the Internet
Searching online is useful, but talking to real people brings ideas to life. You might discover that the job you thought sounded boring is actually someone’s dream career — or that something you’d written off could be exactly what fits your strengths.
Start small. Ask a teacher how they chose their degree. Ask your cousin what they love (or hate) about their job. These conversations are full of insights you won’t find in brochures or websites. You’re not asking them to solve your life — you’re learning how others made decisions with the information they had.
Try this: Ask one adult you trust:
“What did you think you’d be doing at my age — and what actually happened?”
You might be surprised by their answer. And you’ll probably feel less alone in your uncertainty.
4. It’s Okay to Change Your Mind
We grow. We learn. We shift. That’s not failure — that’s development. Maybe you loved science until the exams got overwhelming. Maybe you thought you’d go into business, but now you can’t stop thinking about design. That’s not flakiness. That’s feedback from your life. Pay attention to it.
Changing your mind doesn’t mean you’ve wasted time. Every subject, skill, and experience you’ve had is part of your toolkit. Some paths will fit better than others — and that’s something you only learn by trying.
Try this: Think of a time when you changed your mind about something big — a subject, a friendship, a belief. What helped you decide? What did you learn? That process is just as important as the choice itself.
Final Thought: The Next Step Is Just That — a Step
You don’t need to see the whole staircase to take the next step. You just need one piece of action — however small — that moves you forward. That might be exploring a new interest, emailing someone with questions, or simply giving yourself permission to not have all the answers yet.
The future isn’t a fixed point. It’s a series of choices, conversations, and experiments that shape who you become. You don’t have to get it “right.” You just have to keep showing up — with curiosity, courage, and an open mind.
What’s something you’d love to explore — even if it doesn’t “lead” anywhere right now? Let us know in the comments below.
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